When students, faculty and staff gathered Oct. 1 on the University of Texas at Austin’s West Mall rally area to protest the implementation of the state's new "campus carry" law, they had no way of knowing that news coverage of their rally would be overshadowed by a campus shooting taking place at that very moment in Oregon. Oblivious to the carnage unfolding halfway across the country, speaker after speaker took the stage to explain how the presence of guns would impede the free exchange of ideas and hinder their ability to speak openly on controversial topics.

This is beside the point, though. Campus carry allows licensed individuals an optional measure of personal protection; it doesn't inoculate an entire campus against violence. Rather than look for proof where none exists, we should let this tragedy serve as a reminder that violence can strike anywhere.

Outside of Texas, more than 150 U.S. college campuses have allowed licensed concealed carry for an average of more than five years without a single resulting assault, suicide attempt or fatal accident. Why should we expect any less in Texas? Time and time again, Texas concealed handgun license holders have been shown to be among the most law-abiding segments of the population (committing violent crimes at about one-fifth the rate of the general public). Why should these carefully vetted individuals who are allowed the means to protect themselves virtually everywhere else in the state be placed at the mercy of any criminal or lunatic willing to disregard an honor-system-based school policy?

Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.